LOCHIA

Lochia is a blood loss condition that you are going to have after birth and if you notice that they change their appearance, do not worry, because it is part of the process because your uterus is returning to its normal position. They begin immediately after birth and can last until the end of postpartum or quarantine (those classic 40 days after birth).

Immediately after the delivery of the baby, the uterus contracts and is positioned above the navel. In a period of 10-15 days it is now up to the pubis and weighing less than 1kg. 40 days then is when the uterus becomes again into its normal size and weight. So do not worry if 2 or 3 days after birth you still have a tummy slightly swollen as if you had 4 months of pregnancy, remember that your uterus is returning to its normal size after having a baby for nine months inside .

Within these changes undergone the uterus return to its  normal size to reduce the muscle cells of the uterus in volume and quantity. These cells go through different processes and smooth; That is why you start having bleeding known as lochia.

CAUSES OF LOCHIA
1- Detachment of the placenta: The placenta is the organ through which came the oxygen and nutrients to your baby during pregnancy. In the area of ​​the uterus where the placenta was “connected” there is a wound  formed and as every wound starts to bleed at the time this is then subtracted from birth. Immediately, as a defense mechanism, a lot of white blood cells reach the “wound” to form a barrier and prevent the entry of potential germs that can infect the area. Just this barrier is formed, bleeding wound caused by this notice decreases and less bleeding. The process of rebuilding tissue in this area usually ends four weeks after the delivery.

2- Elimination of uterine layers: the slow elimination of the layers composed of a large number of tissue responsible for coating the uterus during pregnancy. These layers are slowly eliminated by movements in the womb and produce lochia.

3- Destruction of uterine fibroids: After completing the pregnancy, this destruction of tissue lysis results in lochia.

EVOLUTION OF LOCHIA
– The first 10 days: You will notice that you have abundant blood loss. This blood will be bright red and feel some uterine contractions so I explained above, seek to eliminate waste and coats that covered them. During these first 10 days notice blood, tissues placental membranes and microorganisms.

– At 15 days: You’ll notice how much blood decreases; This means that the wound in the area where the placenta was attached to the uterus is closing. During these days the lochia will be a yellowish color with some traces of blood. They take this aspect because these days you’ll be driving and white blood cells lining the uterus wound, remains of the membrane covering the uterus and was, of course, red blood cells.

-After 15 days: you notice that the losses are of a thick whitish color. At this time losses are composed of white blood cells, epithelial tissue and cells of the lining of the uterus.